Housing Benefit (APL) Application

Personalized Housing Benefit (APL) is an allowance paid by CAF to reduce rent or mortgage payments for people with modest incomes. To receive it, it may be necessary to send a written letter to CAF, particularly as a supplement to an online application, to report a special situation, attach an incomplete file, or provide details the standard form doesn't allow.

This letter must follow certain administrative rules: it must be clear, complete, and accompanied by the correct supporting documents. A poorly written or incomplete letter can delay processing by several weeks, or even result in your file being rejected. This page explains when you need to write this letter, what information to include, and offers a ready-to-use letter template, plus a tool to automatically generate your personalized letter in just a few minutes. Once your complete file is submitted, you will receive confirmation of receipt, usually before the final notification of the amount awarded.

When should you write this letter?

• You just moved into new housing and want to submit your first APL application;
• Your online application is blocked or incomplete and a CAF advisor is requesting an explanatory letter;
• You want to report a change in your situation (housing, family, income) that affects the benefit calculation;
• You don't have access to CAF's digital space or are having difficulty with the online process;
• You need to provide clarification about your lease, landlord, or housing characteristics.

In all these cases, a paper letter or official email remains accepted by CAF and reinforces or completes your digital file.

Required information to include

• Your first and last name, as shown on your ID;
• Your complete current address (number, street, postal code, city);
• Your CAF beneficiary number if you have one, or your file number;
• The address of the housing concerned by the application, if different from your correspondence address;
• The date you moved into the housing (lease signing date or actual move-in date);
• The monthly rent excluding charges, plus the amount of rental charges;
• Your family situation (single, married, number of dependent children);
• An estimate or reminder of your income over the past twelve months;
• The list of documents attached with the letter that you're sending (signed lease, tax notice, bank details RIB, rental certificate, etc.), which CAF requests depending on your situation.

The more accurate and complete this information is from the first submission, the faster your file will be processed.

Official letter template

Important note: the letter sent to CAF must be written in French, as it is a French administration. Below is a template you can use as a basis.

[First name LAST NAME]
[Full address]
[Beneficiary number]

CAF of [Department]
[CAF address]

Written in [City], on [Date]

Subject: Application for Personalized Housing Benefit (APL)

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to request payment of Personalized Housing Benefit (APL) for my housing located at [housing address], where I have been a tenant since [move-in date].

[...]

→ The complete letter, tailored precisely to your situation and ready to send, is generated automatically in 3 minutes using the tool above.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does CAF take to process an APL application?

The average processing time is 4 to 6 weeks from receipt of a complete file. This can be longer if documents are missing, so it's important to attach all documents from the first submission.

Can I send this letter by email instead of regular mail?

Yes, most CAF branches accept applications via secure messages from your personal space, or by regular email in some cases. Regular mail remains the safest option if you don't have digital access.

What happens if my file is incomplete?

CAF will send you a letter or notice requesting the missing documents. Processing of your file will be suspended until all required documents are received.

Is APL retroactive?

APL is usually paid starting the month following the submission of the complete application. It's therefore advisable to submit your file as soon as possible after moving.

Do I need to submit a new application if I move?

Yes, any change of housing requires a new declaration to CAF with the characteristics of the new housing (address, rent, move-in date), so the benefit amount can be recalculated.